Aerobic Exercise for Alzheimer's Disease

(BIMII Trial)

Overseen By Marc J Poulin, PhD, DPhil

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Calgary

No Placebo Group

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether regular aerobic exercise can help prevent dementia in older adults with memory issues. The exercise program aims to improve brain health by boosting blood flow and fitness. Researchers hope to show that this can slow down or prevent cognitive decline.

Research Team

Marc J Poulin, PhD, DPhil

Principal Investigator

University of Calgary

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for inactive adults aged 50-80 with memory complaints but no dementia, and at least one vascular risk factor like high blood pressure or diabetes. They should not be doing vigorous exercise more than twice a week and must speak English fluently. People with serious illnesses, history of stroke, or other conditions that could affect the study can't join.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 50-80 years old, feel I have memory issues, but don't have dementia, and have risk factors for Alzheimer's or related diseases.

I have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity (BMI <40), high cholesterol, smoking, or past heart disease without recent symptoms.

Subjective cognitive symptoms self-reported using the MAC-Q Memory Complaint Questionnaire with a score of ≥25

Exclusion Criteria

History of dementia

I am not fluent in English.

Contraindication for the intervention

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Aerobic exercise (Behavioural Intervention)
• Stretch and Strength (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The trial tests if regular aerobic exercise can prevent or slow down cognitive decline in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD). Participants will do either aerobic exercises or stretching-toning exercises to see which helps brain health and cognition more.

Participant Groups

Group I: Stretch and Strength Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A control group will meet on a similar schedule as the exercise group for sessions on stretching and toning but without aerobic exercise. Based on prior RCTs of similar interventions the investigators expect this control to be ineffective or minimally effective, but anticipate that it will increase participant enthusiasm and retention. All assessments will be conducted in this arm.

Group II: Aerobic exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will take part in a supervised 6-month-long aerobic (walk/jog) training program held 3 days/week. Each session will include a 5-min warm-up, 20-40 min of aerobic exercise (walking, jogging), 5-min cool-down, and stretching. Exercise prescriptions will follow current principles and guidelines established by ACSM/AHA, including sufficient warm-up, cool-down, and ongoing provision of safety precautions/exercise tips. As participants progress, the duration of aerobic exercise will increase from 20 (month 1) to 30 (months 2-3) and 40 min (months 4-6), with proportional increases to warm-up and cool-down periods. Exercise intensity will be based on individual maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), measured at baseline. Intensity will build from 30-45% (months 1-3) to mitigate the risk of injury and will progress to 60-70% (months 4-6) heart rate reserve (HRR).

Aerobic exercise is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

Approved in Canada as Aerobic Exercise for:

• Rehabilitation after stroke
• Improvement of physical function
• Enhancement of cognitive function

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Calgary

Lead Sponsor

Trials

827

Recruited

902,000+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+